UCI released that Tour de France winner Alberto Contador tested positive for banned substance Clenbuterol yesterday. Contador issued a statement that the cause for the said positive result was due to contaminated meat he ate during the last Tour de France.

The drug test was taken last July 21st and on August 24, UCI informed Contador that they had found a small trace of clenbuterol in his urine. The amount was 50 picograms. Clenbuterol is a drug which boosts aerobic activity and increases the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. It also helps metabolize fat and acts as a decongestant for asthma patients. UCI provisionally suspended the Spanish cyclist.

Contador held a press conference to address the numerous reactions and feedback regarding the latest scandal that rocked the cycling community.

“It is a case of food contamination to which I was the victim…The UCI itself affirmed in front of me that…

With the controversial investigation on Floyd Landis’ allegations, anonymous people created a website which calls for support for the cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The website is a venue where fans of the seven-time Tour de France champion can leave messages of support for Armstrong.

The Support for Lance site asks only for you to post its site badge online or on your own website to gather more support. No monetary support is required. You also have the option to leave messages of support for Armstrong to read.

As per the website, “We aren’t looking for money, and Lance has no involvement in this website. His guilt or innocence is not what is being addressed here. We’re appealing to the millions of Lance Armstrong fans all over the world – it’s time that this international hero gets some support when he needs it most!”

The Spaniard, Alejandro Valverde is not going to give up without a fight after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) slapped a two year suspension on him based on the grounds of the evidence taken from Operacion Puerto case. In a statement, Valverde vowed to take the case to the Swiss Court according to his press agent.

The failure of the Spanish Cycling Federation to implement disciplinary action against Valverde brought down the ruling of the CAS which was filed by the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency against the Spaniard. The DNA testing which implicated Valverde due to blood evidence involving the case was enough to impose a suspension. This was based on the ruling “use or attempted use by a rider of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.” However, there was no evidence enough to nullify all of Valverde’s track record prior to the court ruling.

Five journalists, two from the French sports daily L’Equipe and three from the weekly Le Point are free as charges of illegal possession and concealment of confidential documents in connection with an investigation of the Cofidis team have been dropped. In Nanterre, the court found no evidence but rather allegations based on “mere suspicion”.

Basile Ader, representing the journalists said, “Despite that difficulty, the court’s decision is still a pleasant surprise” and further stated that it was not certain whether his clients had actually obtained and concealed the documents making conviction a highly remote verdict.

The court nevertheless, did not rule on Basile’s motion regarding the charge of “concealment” is a violation of government suppressing the freedom of the press as per Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The five journalists were indicted in October 2006 for possession and concealment of documents relevant with the Cofidis team’s investigation in 2004…

An unexpected turn of events led to the Szczepaniak brothers’ suspension but a recent press release from the UCI President Pat McQuaid and WADA President John Fahey absolves the brothers from their EPO case.

“It is clear to our organizations that Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak were simply confused about the nature of their medical care. Mistaking banned substances for routine vitamin injections is a common error that should not be held against these two talented young men.”

The press release explained that the withdrawal of the case was due to family circumstances and financial limitations for the cost of B sample testing.

Support for the Szczepaniak brothers was overwhelming. Fourth placer Tom Meeusen informed reporters that what happened to the Polish brothers can happen to anybody. “Any of us could accidentally inject a banned substance twice a week without knowing it,” said Meeusen.

Arnaud Jouffroy, who held the championship title after Pawel’s suspension,…

Italian cyclist Davide Rebellin says he’s ready to fight to clear his name of allegations of doping in order to win the silver medal at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. Rebellin tested positive for the blood-booster CERA, and the UCI has announced that it wants to disqualify Rebellin and take his prize money and Olympic medal. “Even though no one believes me that I am innocent and everyone just assumes I am guilty, I am going to return to competition and demonstrate who Davide Rebellin is,” says Davide, and he initiating an appeal process to fight the allegations. Stay tuned for more information on this matter.